Lesson 2: Management Commitment and Policies

Glossary

All eight of the elements are equally important to the overall effectiveness of the entire system, but without management leadership, such a system is impossible to implement.

Element One recognizes that the commitment of management is absolutely essential to develop and maintain an effective workplace health & safety system.

  • taking every possible opportunity to show their workers that they are committed to good health and safety practices by becoming actively involved

  • talking to workers about health and safety

  • following all company health and safety rules and expecting all workers to do the same

  • offering suggestions for improvements and asking workers for suggestions

  • taking corrective action when issues are identified; i.e., follow up on workers' suggestions

  • making workers feel comfortable about coming to them to discuss their concerns

  • making sure health and safety is on the agenda at meetings

  • taking an active part in health and safety discussions

  • making health and safety an integral part of the business operation


Health and Safety Policy

A written health and safety policy is an important part of managing health and safety in the workplace. The policy should state:

  • employer commitment to health and safety
  • overall goals and objectives for health and safety
  • responsibilities of the employer, supervisors, and workers.

 
Employer's
Responsibilities		 Supervisors'
Responsibilities		 Workers'
Responsibilities

  • establish the health and management system

  • provide the resources to maintain the system

  • conduct an annual review of the system

  • train supervisors

  • provide a safe and healthy work environment

  • ensure hazards are adequately controlled

  • set a good example

  • orient new workers

  • provide ongoing training to all workers

  • conduct regular staff health and safety meetings

  • perform inspections and incident investigations

  • correct hazards or report them to the employer

  • correct unsafe acts or behaviors by workers

  • set a good example

  • learn and follow safe work procedures

  • use any required equipment and tools

  • correct hazards or report them to supervisors

  • participate in inspections and investigations

  • set a good example


A Workplace Health & Safety Management System can be effective only if all stakeholders (employers, supervisors, and workers) do their part.